François Picard welcomes Andrew Weissmann, author, NYU School of Law professor, and former FBI General Counsel. Weissmann argues that when political deception and deliberate falsehoods become normalized and politically expedient, they erode public trust in government and democratic institutions. Drawing on his book “Liar’s Kingdom,” he examines why political leaders appear to operate above the law while ordinary citizens face serious legal consequences for intentional false statements.
According to Weissmann, repeated political deception breeds mistrust in democratic systems, particularly as executive power expands during periods when traditional checks and balances are weakened. By comparing democratic practices in Brazil, Britain, France, and Germany, he explores whether democracies can meaningfully address intentional political lies without compromising freedom of expression. This raises a fundamental constitutional question: when does protecting political speech at all costs threaten democratic governance and leave institutions vulnerable to autocratic leaders who disregard the rule of law?
